Ice fishing is in full swing, most fish houses are out and reports are coming back positive. Ice trails marked for ATV/snowmobiles and other resorts are shuttling people to fish houses with light ice rigs. On the south shore, most fishing in 16-23′. As usual, gold and glow colors are hot colors starting out. A mix of walleyes, sauger and jumbo perch. Numerous limits. Some reports of trophy walleyes over 28″ in the mix. Ice depths vary, thus, stay on the marked resort trails. Do not venture out on your own unless you have checked the ice. Despite the date, this is still “early ice”. Safety first. Work through resorts / resort marked trails for safety.

The Rainy River is iced over in most areas and open in others. Most areas not yet fishable with thin ice. For safety, work through resorts.

Up at the NW Angle, most fish houses are out and good fishing reported thus far. There is a staked trail from Young’s Bay to Flag Island and to Oak Island. Stay on staked trail as other areas can be inconsistent ice. Snowmobile/ATV travel only so far. Stay posted to Lake of the Woods Tourism or your favorite resort’s Facebook/Twitter pages for updates.